... A crowd of ghost hunters — wielding cameras and gadgets that can sense electromagnetic fields — converge on the doorway, as Furhman continues to flap and shimmy alongside the invisible phenomena.

Days later, a review of audio recorded at the scene will reveal mysterious sounds: what seems to be the sound of a woman sighing when asked about Burr.

On this night, teams led by two of New York’s top paranormal investigators, Villella and Dan Sturges, have combed over Morris Jumel Mansion with armloads of nifty electromagnetic field detectors, digital sound recorders and video equipment....

I don't know if the Morris Jumel Mansion is haunted but we do now that there are those who believe that spirits and ghosts are inhabiting Roosevelt Island. To mark the coming of Halloween on Saturday, I though it appropriate to revisit two earlier posts asking if Roosevelt Island is the most haunted place in New York City.

Blogger Melissa Bastian travels the length of the F train subway line from Jamaica Queens to Coney Island Brooklyn with a stop at Roosevelt Island to do some exploring. She visits the former Roosevelt Island lunatic asylum that is now the Octagon rental building noting that Charles Dickens and Nelly Bly wrote about the asylum as a place of suffering and horror.

Her first impression of the new and improved Octagon residential building was:

... The architects really did do a wonderful job of restoring the structure; the building itself is indeed quite beautiful, with a spiral staircase winding around the perimeter of the atrium....

... At first the space felt like most newly constructed spaces feel - sort of vacant and dead. But then, all of a sudden, a wave came over me - of panic, of fear, of Very Bad Things. I looked around, and the lobby was still as calm and unremarkable as could be. But this energy was surging through me with a force that made me feel as if I might fall down. I collected Sarah and got the hell out.

We crossed the street to a little area with benches and a sundial, and it took me several minutes of sitting and breathing to collect myself. Now, I am not one to go in for a lot of heebee jeebee mumbo jumbo. But I have this thing with places. I suppose the best way to explain it is that I believe in energy; that a place can be infused with the energies of its occupants if those energies are strong enough, good or bad, and that the traces can last long past their actual presence. I know it sounds a little goofy, and maybe I just watched The Shining too many times when I was a kid. But I've felt many things in many places, and never in my life have I felt anything like that. And I lived in New Orleans for chrissake. Granted, I went in knowing the history of the place, but it certainly isn't what I was thinking of at the time. I was thinking about how pretty it was, and the nice weather, and how yuppies like to live in expensive places with tennis courts. And it just hit me out of nowhere, like a sickness. Whatever it was that happened in there, it is not an experience I have any desire to repeat...

The Dark Water movie was filmed at the Eastwood (now re-named Roosevelt Landings by the new owners, Urban America) buildings not the Octagon but the spirits inhabiting Roosevelt Island may be all over the place. Remember the Encampment?

Recently renovated as a pricey apartment building named “Octagon,” tenants may find that their new apartments have “squatters.” In a May 2006 segment on “Paula Zahn Now” on CNN, reporter Allen Chernoff noted the eerie coincidence that, on the day that the Octagon reopened, the Roosevelt Island tram to Manhattan broke down. Additionally, pet owners observed that some pets refused to walk up stairs in the building. CNN invited in a team of ghost hunters, who claim to have detected several apparitions on their sophisticated equipment.

A Curbed reader may have spotted an Octagon ghost on the spiral staircase during a 2006 visit.

I took a picture of the stairwell. in the attached photograph (above), you can see that it's still a delightfully maddening spiral, but also i do believe that is a ghost in the upper left corner of the picture. it's the grayish blur near the banister. it's not sunlight from the windows, as you can see that stops in the lower half of the picture. it's not a reflection from my camera's flash, because the surrounding wood would show a gradation of light.

Well maybe not the most haunted on the planet but perhaps in New York City. Another visitor to Roosevelt Island sees spooky images in pictures he took of the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital wall and a friend feels a tap on the shoulder when nobody is close by according to this Live Journal account.

Last winter, my friend and I took the tram over to Roosevelt Island's crumbling Smallpox Hospital.

... For those who aren't skeptical, I kept seeing odd images come up on these, but take that as you wish.

When I first opened this on my phone, the image of a forlorn emaciated person's upper half with their face leaning on their hand jumped out at me from the left side of this picture. Then the image of a small boy on the right of the black hole in the middle was pointed out to me. Now that it's been lightened in photoshop and enlarged, I can see even more faces.

My friend told me that he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder, turned around to find me several feet back, but didn't mention it until we had left.

A reader, Just a Mommy, shared her memories of driving past the Renwick Ruins in this earlier post.

As a child who grew up in Manhattan my family and I used to drive alot on the FDR and I remember looking out the window to my right and seeing what was left of this building. My brothers would say it was a crazy house where monsters lived and my older brother would tell the younger one if he misbehaved he would be shipped there permanently. I always found it very pretty and I envisioned it a castle and I would one day grow up and restore it and live there...

"Halloween ‘Spooktacular’ at Trinity Church featuring games, crafts, ghost tales in the churchyard as well as a nighttime screening of The Phantom of the Opera (1925) accompanied by organist Robert Ridgell.

HALLOWEEN AT GREEN-WOOD, PART 1Celebrate the holiday with tales of murder, mayhem, spirits, and ghosts on Green-Wood's annual Halloween walking tour with Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman. This is a very, very popular tour, so arrive early.

Join Us !All Those in Costume are Welcome to Join Hundreds of Puppets, 53 Bands of Different Types of Music, Dancers and Artists, and Thousands of other New Yorkers in Costumes of their Own Creation in the Nation’s Most Wildly Creative Public Participatory Event in the Greatest City in the World !Line-Up !For all those in costume is on 6th Avenue South of Spring Street and North of Canal between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Alert ! ONLY enter the line-up on 6th Ave. from the East and South between Canal and Spring !

NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS Sunday, the ING New York City Marathon, a 26.2-mile run through the city’s five boroughs, beginning at 9:40 a.m. at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Staten Island, then going through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, ending at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Athletes in wheelchairs begin the run at 8:20 a.m., followed by athletes with disabilities at 8:45 a.m. and professional female runners at 9:10 a.m. Registration is closed. Viewing areas: in Brooklyn, along Fourth Avenue, beginning at 92nd Street in Bay Ridge; in Queens, along 44th Drive from Vernon Boulevard to Queensboro Plaza, Long Island City; in Manhattan, along First Avenue, from 59th Street to the Willis Avenue Bridge, and Fifth Avenue, from 135th to 90th Streets; in the Bronx, 138th Street to the Madison Avenue Bridge, in the Mott Haven section.

Investigation- A warning notice sent to Gristedes Supermarket from Gristedes Supermarket Human Resources regarding an incident in another store off Island of three subjects allegedly tampering with the meat. NYPD had responded to the off Island incident.

I asked RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra for additional details and he replied:

Luis Bueno, Store Manager at the Roosevelt Island Gristedes, reported that he received an e-mail from the Executive Director of Human Resources and Asset Management to alert Local Law Enforcement Authorities of an incident that occurred in an off-island Gristedes.

Three people (described as 2 white females and 1 white male) were escorted out of that store because they were observed unwrapping meat and swabbing it with a culture swab (which, according to the Executive Director, are used to grow bacteria). They were not inspectors of any kind and had no identification. NYPD was notified and confiscated the swabs.

Gristedes wanted to inform all of their stores because this behavior could be dangerous and they want to keep their products free from harm.

Again, this incident did not occur at the Roosevelt Island Gristedes but a warning was sent to law enforcement agencies including the RI Public Safety Department. As they say on the subway regarding suspicious activity "if you see something say something".

1. Call to Action for Island-Wide Transit Improvements -- supporting the RI Transit Tiger Team. Matt Katz, Chair of RIRA Planning Committee (and former RIRA President), called a meeting last Friday to discuss transportation issues on the Island. One topic was the ferry (more on this below). The more important topic was improving subway service. Because the MTA has been dismissive towards our suggestions, we agreed that we need a "tiger team" approach. This would involve bringing all the Island players together: the elected politicians, the developers, the residents (RIRA), and RIOC. The RIRA representation would include myself, Matt Katz, Ellen Polivy (RIRA Vice President and member of CB8), and other RIRA members. One area RIOC can provide help is authoritatively provide answers and information about the significant limitations on off-Island transportation. The developers can help by reminding the MTA that the developers have significant financial interest in their properties on the Island ('nuf said). Our elected politicians can demand that the MTA work with us until: (1) we arrive at some workable solution, or (2) all parties agree that we've investigated all possible solutions. The MTA is really unenthused about providing neighborhood-specific solutions, but our politicians can remind the MTA that Roosevelt Island has unique circumstances. I've spoken with Fernando Martinez, RIOC VP of Operations, and he said RIOC is will to play a supportive role in improving island transportation — RIOC has worked with the MTA before. Thanks, RIOC for the help!

What can you do as a resident? You can help by contacting the elected officials. Remind them (1) next spring the tram will be out of service for six months, so the need to solve the transportation problems RIGHT NOW, (2) the ferry might help, but it is not enough, (3) we have a tiger team her to interact with the MTA to help us get to the right solution, (4) most importantly, the elected officials need get the MTA to meet with the tiger team. Here are their phone numbers and E-mail addresses:

If you want to follow progress, which we hope to report more frequently than WIRE issues, you have the following choices:

http://ritransit.org -- A website for Roosevelt Island transit issues ritransit on Twitter -- A twitter account for real-time reports ritransit@rira-council.org -- Send us your E-mail address and we'll keep you posted on progress (not more than one E-mail a day)

We hope to make progress over the next 3-4 months -- in time for the tram shut down.

2. Ferry Service. As mentioned above, Matt Katz held a RIRA Planning Committee meeting on this. There is support in the committee for providing immediate ferry service. There will be more details and discussion when the full RIRA Common Council discusses this at its monthly meeting on November 4.

3. Red Bus Experiments. I promised more information in this issue. I'll have to punt until the next issue: we're focused on the off-Island transportation issue these two weeks.

4. RIRA Town Hall Meeting on October 28 at 8PM in Good Shepherd Community Center. This is in preparation for the RIOC Board meeting on October 29. Residents are welcome to come discuss topics on the RIOC Board agenda *prior* to RIOC taking action on them. RIOC Board members: we'll looking forward to seeing you, too, at the RIRA Town Hall Meeting.

The most recent Roosevelt Island 24 hour Public Safety Report is posted daily on the blog's inside right sidebar, just below the RIOC Directors email address. Listed is a daily log recapping local incidents the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department responded to the previous day.

RIOC is also posting the Daily and July MonthlyRoosevelt Island Public Safety Incident reports on their web site. Also, a breakdown of Roosevelt Island Public Safety incidents by location and category (the Blotter) for the month of August 2009 is available.

Below are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for September 29 - October 28, 2009. Incidents include:

Panhandling (9/29)

Failure To Move Car (9/30)

Scratched Car (9/30)

Fire In Subway (10/2)

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (10/3,17,23,27)

Complaint Against Motorgate Employee (10/5)

Burglary Arrest (10/5)

Complaint Against Red Bus Driver (10/5,6,7,12, 28)

Panhandling In Front of Starbucks (10/6)

Client Acting Agressively Against Home Attendant (10/8)

Missing Goldwater Hospital Patient (10/8,9, 11)

Attempted Robbery of Cell Phone (10/ 9)

Assault - Male Hit In Face (10/10)

Water Rescue of Depressed Male Who Jumped Into East River (10/11)

Unknown Subject Threatened To Take Cell Phone From Male At Subway Station (10/12)

Lost Property - Resident reported she lost keys to apartment. Super was notified and will change lock.

Criminal Mischief - Owner reported to PSD that unknown person scratched her car. Search of the area was conducted with negative results. NYPD responded and made report.

Smoke Alarm - PSD received smoke alarm. Tenant left food on stove causing it to burn. No injuries or property damage.

Fire - PSD and FDNY responded for fire in AVAC. FDNY extinguished fire to recycle bin. Minor damage to wall and floor. Super was on scene.

0700 hrs 10/01/09 - 0700 hrs 10/02/09

Investigation - Tenant reported to PSD that money was taken from her apartment. PSD responded and took report. Tenant later notified PSD that she forgot she gave money to her home attendant to do shopping.

Smoke Condition - Tenant reported to PSD that cigarette smoke coming into his window. PSD made search with negative results.

Lost Property - Owner reported to PSD that unknown person took his bag. PSD made search with negative results.

Smoke Alarm - PSD responded to smoke alarm inside apartment. Tenant left food in microwave causing it to burn. PSD opened windows. No property damage or injuries. FDNY on scene.

Disabled Vehicle- A disabled vehicle on Main Street but not obstructing traffic. Tow truck arrived and towed it.

Aided- A female fell in apt and had not taken her medication for an extended period of time. EMS transported her to the hospital.

Property Damage- Broken glass from Westview outer building structure. A truck may have struck it causing the damage. Search made with negative results for the truck. No injuries to anyone.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Domestic Incident-A female complained about her ex husband who had brought her daughter's property without asking her. There is a history of problems with him towards her. NYPD responded and prepared a report.

Possible Aided- Westview Super notified PSD about a possible aided in an apt. PSD and EMS responded and tenant not home.

Aided/EDP- Male had not taken medication for a mental condition. NYPD, PSD and EMS responded. Male was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Investigation/Suspicious Male- Male acting aggressively towards another male. PSD and escorted the male out of the building. NYPD refused.

Complaint/Investigation- Complaint against a RIOC Bus driver who was driving the bus recklessly. Mini Bus Supervisor was notified.

10/6/09-7:00 AM to 10/7/09-7:00 AM

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Property Damage- Broken glass to Westview Structure. Grounds cleaned up the glass. It may have been caused by a truck.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital.

Domestic Dispute- Between Female and her ex Boyfriend. NYPD responded and filed a report.

Possible Aided- Westview Super requested EMS for a possible aided. EMS responded no one home. Emergency contact number called and no answer.

Aided/ EDP- Male hadn't taken medication for a mental condition. PSD,NYPD and EMS responded. Male transported to the hospital.

Investigation/ Suspicious Male- In Starbucks panhandling. He was warned and admonished then escorted out of the store.

Trespassing - Two youths were on rocks. Youths were brought into PSD. Adult family member picked up youths.

Found Property - Cell phone turned into PSD. Property secured at PSD.

EDP/Aided - Home attendant reported that her client was acting aggressively towards her. PSD along with NYPD and EMS responded. Aided was transported to hospital for evaluation.

Family Dispute - PSD responded to family dispute. Reporter stated argument was between her daughter and her father. Father left apartment before PSD arrived. No injuries reported. PSD spoke to daughter and advised reporter to call PSD if argument starts again.

Harassment- Unknown female threw water at a resident and fled. Search conducted with negative results. NYPD and EMS refused.

Harassment-Unknown male subject threatened to take cell phone from a male at the R.I. Subway. Search made for the subject with negative results. NYPD refused.

Petit Larceny- A tricycle was taken from the bike rack by 455 Main Street. Investigation revealed per Transit Police that 2 adult males were seen taking the tricycle into the subway. Search for the subjects yielded negative results. NYPD refused.

Harassment- Tenant harassing another tenant. NYPD refused. oWater Leak- In a buisness establishment it stopped and per UA Foreman unable to trace it until it starts again. No damage to Buisness establishment.

Burglary in the Past- 3 days ago unknown subject damaged apt door and gained access. A bicycle was taken. Search made with negative results. Reporter did not notify PSD or NYPD at date of incident. NYPD filed a report.

Aided/Investigation - PSD along with EMS and NYPD responded to an apartment for aided. Aided stated to NYPD that she was assaulted. NYPD found no force entry. Aided refused transport to hospital. NYPD still investigating.

0700 hrs 10/23/09 - 0700 hrs 10/24/09

Assault/EDP- Male was struck by female. Female suffers fromschizophrenia. She was transported to hospital.

Aided- Female youth was intoxicated and was ill. EMS responded and aided was transported to hospital.

Unlawful possession of marijuana/ Serving alcohol to minor- PSD officers responded for noise complaint. Officers observed large group in hallway. Officers found alcohol and marijuana in youth's possession. Youth were released to parents’ custody. Juvenile reports filed.

Domestic Dispute/Harassment- Victim stated that the cousin made threats to her. PSD and NYPD responded. Both parties will stay away from each other. No injuries.

Aided- Female fell in apt and sustained laceration to her head. EMS transported her to the hospital.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Domestic Dispute- Between mother and son. Mother made arrangements for son to live with his father. No injuries and NYPD refused.

Harassment- Male and female attended a party. They exited and male slapped female in the face and fled. PSD and NYPD responded. Search made with negative results. NYPD report filed. EMS refused.

Vehicle Accident/Aided- Motorist made contact with a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Pedestrian sustained pain to her foot. PSD, NYPD and EMS responded. NYPD report filed. Aided taken to the hospital by EMS.

Verbal Dispute- Between male and female. No injuries. Male left the Island. Female went home. NYPD refused.

Criminal Mischief/Property Damage- Officers responded to a report of a possible fight. Upon return to the vehicle discovered the rear left brake light was smashed. search for the subject made with negative results.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

10/25/09-7:00 AM to 10/26/09-7:00 AM

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Domestic Dispute- Between Mother and adult son. No injuries. NYPD refused. (Dispute verbal) Upon PSD arrival it had ceased. Both agreed to be respectful to each other.

Trespass- 2 Subjects attempting to gain illegal entry to the middle School. Subjects fled. One pushed a male in a wheel chair and fled. PSD Officer caught one who had slammed the fire door on to the officer. Officer made a controlled strike to subject's leg who fled again. EMS responded for aided who refused transport to the hospital.

Water Leak- In an apt. PSD, FDNY, UA responded. UA corrected the condition. No property damage.

Aided/Call for help- Female requested assistance and could not explain who she came across the Roosevelt Island Bridge. EMS responded and transported her to the hospital

Robbery- Victim robbed of his Play Station 3. PSD, NYPD responded. A check of video surveillance at the Tram and the Octagon enabled the recovery of play Station 3, clothing worn by subjects (2). Search of the Island yielded negative results.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person with chest pains. EMS responded and transport was refused. Per EMS Vidal signs good. Aided will go to his private doctor.

10/26/09-7:00 AM to 10/27/09-7:00 AM

Domestic dispute- between a female and a male living in an apt. Male drove off and female also left. No injuries and EMS refused.

Aided- Male injured in a fight off Island. He came to the Island. EMS transported him to the hospital.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

Aided/Investigation- Male reported while existing the RIOC Bus the driver closed the door and his right hand and groceries got caught in the door. Mini Bus Supervisor was notified. EMS refused.

Escort- Female requested an escort due to a male in apt. Upon PSD arrival male had left. Female uncooperative and refused to provide any information. No injuries and EMS refused.

Found Property- PSD Officer found money in a stairwell. It was secured in PSD.

Unsecured Door- Maintenance Lounge door found open. PSD conducted a search and all in order. No damage. UA porter secured the door.

Found Property- Credit card. It was secured in PSD.

10/27/09-7:00 AM to 10/28/09-7:00 AM

Aided/Vehicle Accident- Female ran across a moving RIOC Bus. The bus made slight contact with the female caused a bruise to left leg. EMS transported her to the hospital. NYPD filed a report. Mini Bus Supervisor and PSD responded.

Found Property- PSD Officer found money. It was locked and secured in PSD.

Escort- A Group home youth resident left the building without permission. PSD conducted a search and located the youth. He was returned to the group home.

Solicitation-Unknown Male solicited money from Manhattan Park personnel and another person. Search conducted of the Island with negative results. NYPD refused. A photo of male subject on file at PSD.

Smoke Condition- A tenant accidently burned food which cause a smoke condition. No injuries and no property damage. EMS refused. UA Handyman open hallway windows to air out the smoke.

Aided- Female felt dizzy. EMS responded but aided refused transport to the hospital. PSD escorted the female to her residence.

Harassment- Threats made via telephone calls made to victim and daughter. NYPD refused. Victim advised to obtain an order of protection.

Criminal Possession of Stolen Property/Criminal Possession of Marijuana-2 subjects arrested by PSD. Stolen Property consisted of 3 NYS driver's licenses. Two of which had complaints with NYPD. The third card possibly used in a grand larceny complaint.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by EMS.

10/28/09-7:00 AM to 10/29/09-7:00 AM

Damaged Property- Motorist parked his vehicle in the Motorgate Garage. Upon his return there was damage on the vehicle. Central Parking report and NYPD refused.

Verbal Dispute- Between a RIOC Bus driver and the Supervisor over being relieved late by another bus driver. The bus driver went home.

Found Property- A Cell Phone. It was secured in PSD.

Investigation- A warning notice sent to Gristedes Supermarket from Gristedes Supermarket Human Resources regarding an incident in another store off Island of three subjects allegedly tampering with the meat. NYPD had responded to the off Island incident.

Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA will be exhibiting the photography of Alexander Movshovich in a new show titled Duality from November 7 - December 6. There will be an opening reception on Saturday from 6 - 9 PM.

Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 PTA will be having a Halloween Party fundraiser on Friday October 30, 5 - 9 PM at the Manhattan Park Theater Club (8 River Road). There is a $5 admission fee and households of 4 or more can get in for a flat fee of $20. Click on the image for more details.

Prizes will be given for the best costumes. Below are some candidates for Best Costume award that marched in last Saturday's Halloween Parade.

If you are coming to or leaving Roosevelt Island on Thursday night be aware that the Tram will be out of service (second time this month) from 10 PM until 6 AM Friday morning according to the following Roosevelt Island Tram advisory from RIOC:

Tram Advisory

EARLY SHUTDOWN

On Thursday, October 29th, the Tramway will be shutdown at10:00 pm, and resume service on Friday, October 30th, at 06:00 am.This schedule change is necessary in order to perform the track rope brake test.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I just wanted you to know that the Public Safety Department is hosting our 2nd Annual Halloween Safety Day for the children at the Roosevelt Island Public Library on Thursday, October 29th from 5:00-6:00PM. Please spread the word.

More information available below.

SAFE KIDS NYC

RIOC PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT

NY PUBLIC LIBRARY ROOSEVELT ISLAND BRANCH

Present

HALLOWEEN SAFETY DAY

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

The Library

524 Main Street

Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

From 5:00PM to 6:00PM

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department is also looking to hire new officers. Are you interested?

I recently moved to Roosevelt Island and love it so far. I like to play tennis sometimes and just learned that my NYC permit does not suffice at the public tennis courts near the Octagon. Ok, that's fine.

However, I called the office and learned that I couldn't play on the courts until March, when they start selling new permits, even though current permit holders can play 365 days out of the year, weather permitting. Do you know of a solution to this? Or have any commentsabout it?

I inquired of RIOC President Steve Shane:

I received ... message ... from a recent Roosevelt Island arrival asking about the tennis permit policies at the Octagon Courts. The reader explained that he would like to obtain a permit now but was told he could not do so until the start of the new permit year (beginning in March 2010) even though those with current permits can continue to play through March.

Is that correct. If so, can the policy be altered so that residents can purchase a tennis permit now and be able to play, weather permitting, until the start of the new season in March.

If you are a parent of a school age child you may be interested in an opportunity this week to take a tour of Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 middle and elementary school. The school's PTA sent out the following invitation:

Please join us for a tour of PS/IS 217

Come see our facilities and learn more about our program

Elementary School Tour: Wednesday, October 28th at 8:30 am

Middle School Tour: Thursday, October 29th at 8:30 am

For more information, please contact Lauraine Rademaker, Parent Coordinator, at LRademaker@schools.nyc.gov or 212-980-0294 orNikki Leopold, PTA President at nikkipta@gmail.com

Frankly I find it insulting & offensive that anonymous posters continue to disparage not only the Island school but also the parents who choose to send their children there. Of the many reasons that I chose PS/IS 217 for my son, none of them include a lack of caring about his education. Yes, there are challenges to be overcome with the school, but it is my opinion that the PRIMARY challenge is changing the perception of the school, a task made harder by the constant barrage of negative attacks by those who don’t even have the courage to post using their real identities. Perhaps instead of broad statements about how “bad” the school is, you could cite actual examples that would allow for a rebuttal, or at least a inquiry by the PTA, whose members are actively working at making improvements. NYC schools are dependent on active and involved parent bodies to raise excessive amounts of money to supplement shrinking budgets. The main difference between 217 and the City schools that some Island parents prefer are strong, well-funded PTA’s. We are striving hard to create such a PTA here at our school, but obviously it will remain difficult if not impossible without the support of both Island parents & other residents.The constant negative comments do nothing but undermine the hard work of the Administration, the teachers, the students and the PTA, all of whom are working together to improve the quality of our school. Don’t send your child there if you don’t want – but kindly stop denigrating those of us who do.

Which elicited this response from the school's critic:

Phoebe, when my child was about to go to K I did tour PS 217 and thought that it would be a very good fallback option if G&T would not happen (that was from the time before PS 217 had a G&T). I was extremely disappointed with the school. The space was awesome. The tour not so. I was not impressed from what I saw. I spoke with many other parents that time about PS 217 (parents who had kids at that school and parents who did not) before I made up my mind.

Yes, PS 217 needs a lot or PR work to fix the reputation issues. The thing, though, is that I still get an good number of negative comments from parents who have children there. I know some who pulled theirs out for this school year. So far I still have to hear ONE comment from a PS 217 parent who is utterly in love with the school. This is my experience. I am not putting the school down because I don't know what I am talking about. I came to my conclusions after a lot of research and soul searching.

My intention was never to put down any PS 217 families. I am glad you like the school and your children are thriving.

Phoebe, let me ask you this. Why does the majority of families who really care about their children's education send them to off-island schools (public, private, G&Ts)? I know why from my side of things. How do you explain it from your point of view?

and clarified:

Let me clarify my first sentence. Before I toured PS 217 I hoped that the school would be a good fallback option.

If you are considering various schools for your child, why not take the Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Tour on Wednesday and Thursday to decide for yourself?

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.